EuroBiotech: More Articles of Note

> 4D Pharma (LON:DDDD) began a Phase I trial of its Crohn’s disease candidate. The study marks the start of the process of finding out whether 4D’s idea of treating the digestive tract condition with live bacteria works in humans. 4D, which has dosed the first patient, has built two stages in the study. The first is a 7-day, 10-person, single-dose trial. If that goes well, 4D will advance into a multi-dose study. Release

> Jim Mellon’s oncology investment vehicle SalvaRx (LON:SALV) confirmed one of its portfolio firms is due to enter the clinic. The company, iOx Therapeutics, is a University of Oxford spin-out with a lead candidate it sees as complementary to PD-1 inhibitors. SalvaRx CEO Ian Walters was involved in the development of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody Opdivo during his time at Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY). Release

> Hansa Medical (STO:HMED) reported topline data from an ongoing Phase II trial of its kidney transplant drug IdeS. None of the 10 patients who received a single dose of IdeS before their transplant surgery has experienced delayed graft function or poor creatine levels. Hansa will follow the patients for 6 months. The study is expected to be finalized before the end of the year. Release

> The financial aftershocks of Pfizer’s ($PFE) $14 billion takeover of Medivation ($MDVN) spread all the way to Israel. There, Clal Biotech (TLV:CBI) saw its stock price rise 8% on the back of the news. The uptick occurred because Clal owns 53% of CureTech, a biotech that has an agreement with Medivation for cancer drug pidilizumab. Pfizer highlighted its interest in using pidilizumab in immuno-oncology combinations in its release to unveil the Medivation deal. Globes

> Jan Nilsson left NeuroVive Pharmaceutical (STO:NVP). Nilsson served as chief operating office of the Swedish mitochondrial medicine company, even stepping up to interim CEO at one point. But with Erik Kinnman now occupying the CEO chair, a reorganization has resulted in the firm deciding it no longer needs a COO, according to NeuroVive. Release

> Ablynx (EBR:ABLX) confirmed it is hedging its bets as it heads toward the day AbbVie ($ABBV) will decide whether to pick up its rheumatoid arthritis drug. “Ablynx is currently preparing the complete data package for AbbVie but understandably, in our view, in parallel is preparing Phase III plans and exploring new partnership scenarios in case the option is declined,” Jefferies Analyst Peter Welford wrote in a note. Release